Black Women in STEM: Pioneers and Innovators
I had the privilege of attending a high school graduation ceremony with a friend whose younger brother was graduating. During the event, an award was given to the most outstanding student in STEM, and it went to a young girl named Zoe.
As she stepped onto the stage to accept her prize, she shared a simple but touching story. Zoe said she had always been curious about how things worked. She loved solving problems and creating things, even as a child. She remembered a day when she and her friends were playing in the park with kites. While most kids brought colorful, store-bought kites, Zoe had built hers from scratch.
She used sticks, old newspaper, and some ribbons she found at home. She even studied how the wind moved and adjusted her kite to make it fly better. That day, her kite soared high in the sky and amazed everyone. It was the first time she realized how much she loved designing and figuring out solutions.
Zoe’s story was simple, but it showed how small moments can spark big dreams. Today, she’s continuing that passion in STEM, just like many Black women who have turned curiosity into groundbreaking achievements.
In this post, we’ll explore the rich history and achievements of Black women in STEM, shedding light on the trailblazers whose passion, intellect, and innovation have helped push the boundaries of what’s possible.
From a Small Town to Space: The Importance of Representation
Let’s start with a story. In 1961, a young woman named Katherine Johnson was working at NASA’s Langley Research Center in Virginia. While the world was focused on the Space Race between the U.S. and the Soviet Union, Johnson was calculating trajectories, launch windows, and flight paths for one of the most iconic space missions in history—the first manned space flight by an American, Alan Shepard. But despite her crucial role, Johnson’s work, like many other Black women in STEM, was largely hidden from public view for decades.
This story illustrates an essential point: the contributions of Black women in science and technology have often been ignored or overlooked. While Johnson’s role in the success of NASA’s space program became widely known years later (thanks to the 2016 film Hidden Figures), countless other women who followed in her footsteps remained unsung.
Understanding the incredible contributions of Black women in STEM is vital. It not only honors their work but also provides inspiration to future generations. When young girls see women who look like them succeeding in fields dominated by men or underrepresented groups, it opens up a world of possibilities. According to a 2018 Pew Research Center report, diversity in STEM not only leads to a more inclusive society but also spurs greater innovation. In this blog, we’ll celebrate some of the remarkable Black women who have shaped and continue to shape the STEM fields.
Pioneers Who Paved the Way
1. Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan and Mary Jackson – The Human Computers
These brilliant mathematicians, known as “human computers,” played a crucial role in NASA’s early space missions. Their meticulous calculations were essential for Project Mercury and the Apollo program, including the moon landing.
Their story was brought to wider attention in the book and film Hidden Figures, based on Margot Lee Shetterly’s book of the same name. According to Shetterly, these women overcame both racial and gender barriers to contribute significantly to American space exploration.
2. Mae Jemison – The First African American Woman in Space
Dr. Mae Jemison’s name is known worldwide as the first African American woman to travel into space. In 1992, Jemison made history aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour. Prior to her time at NASA, Jemison was a doctor, an engineer, and a scientist, making her a true Renaissance woman.
Beyond her work at NASA, Jemison has become a strong advocate for STEM education, particularly for girls of color. According to Forbes, she founded the Dorothy Jemison Foundation for Excellence, a nonprofit dedicated to encouraging young people, especially those from marginalized backgrounds, to pursue careers in STEM.
In addition to being an astronaut, Dr. Jemison has appeared on Star Trek: The Next Generation, making her the first real astronaut to appear on a science fiction TV show.
3. Alice Ball – The Chemist Who Developed the First Effective Treatment for Leprosy
Alice Ball was a pioneering chemist who developed the Ball Method, the first successful treatment for leprosy, in the early 20th century. Unfortunately, she was unable to reap the full recognition for her work in her lifetime due to her untimely death at the age of 24. However, her contributions have since been celebrated by modern scientists.
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) recognizes Ball as one of the most influential Black female chemists in history. Her research was groundbreaking, and her work laid the foundation for further advancements in the treatment of leprosy. In recent years, there has been a renewed effort to honor her legacy, with institutions such as the University of Hawaii—where she worked—now commemorating her achievements.
Alice Ball was the first woman and the first Black woman to earn a degree in chemistry from the University of Hawaii.
4. Marian Croak – A Telecom Engineer Who Revolutionized the Internet
Marian Croak’s work is critical to the way the world communicates today. She is best known for developing the technology behind Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), which allows people to make voice calls over the internet (think Skype, WhatsApp, or Zoom). Croak’s innovations in telecom engineering were fundamental to the expansion of online communications.
Croak is a pioneer in the field of telecommunications, and her inventions have had an impact on millions of people worldwide. She is currently a senior vice president at AT&T Labs and has more than 200 patents to her name. According to TechCrunch, Croak’s contributions to the development of VoIP and other telecommunication technologies have transformed both consumer communications and business practices around the globe.
Croak was initially inspired to pursue a career in engineering after working at a summer camp for girls, where she realized that fewer women were entering the technical fields.
5. Dr. Gladys West – The Mathematician Behind GPS
Dr. Gladys West, a mathematician and data scientist, was an instrumental figure in the development of the Global Positioning System (GPS). West’s work at the U.S. Navy’s Naval Surface Warfare Center in the 1970s and 1980s contributed to the development of the satellite system that now powers GPS devices worldwide.
Her groundbreaking research in mathematics and satellite technology made GPS technology possible, transforming industries ranging from transportation to military operations. According to The Guardian, Dr. West’s work was only publicly recognized in 2018 when she was inducted into the Air Force Space and Missile Pioneers Hall of Fame.
Dr. West was one of the few women and the only Black woman in her graduate-level mathematics courses at Virginia State University.
Modern Trailblazers and Innovators
The legacy of these pioneers continues to inspire a new generation of Black women in STEM, who are making significant contributions across various fields.
- Dr. Knatokie Ford: Championing Diversity in STEM: Dr. Ford is a biomedical scientist and social entrepreneur who is passionate about increasing diversity and inclusion in STEM. She has worked with organizations like the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy to promote STEM education and create opportunities for underrepresented groups.
- Kimberly Bryant: Empowering Future Engineers: Kimberly Bryant is the founder of Black Girls CODE, a non-profit organization dedicated to teaching young African American girls about computer programming and technology. Black Girls CODE aims to increase the representation of Black women in the tech industry.
Challenges and Opportunities
Despite the progress made, Black women in STEM continue to face challenges, including:
- Underrepresentation: While Black women have made significant contributions to STEM, there is still much work to be done. Research by NCWIT (National Center for Women & Information Technology) shows that Black women are severely underrepresented in STEM fields, comprising only 3% of the workforce.
- Bias and discrimination: They often encounter implicit and explicit bias in academic and professional settings.
- Lack of mentorship and support: Access to mentors and supportive networks can be limited.
The Path Forward: Continuing the Legacy of Black Women in STEM
It’s crucial that we continue to support and amplify the voices of Black women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
In order to inspire future generations, organizations like Black Girls Code and #BlackandSTEM are working to create more opportunities for young women of color in STEM. By providing mentorship, resources, and training, these organizations are helping close the gender and racial gap in technology and innovation.
Conclusion
Black women have always been at the forefront of STEM innovation, despite the obstacles they have faced. Whether it’s through Katherine Johnson’s trajectory calculations for space missions, Mae Jemison’s history-making space flight, or Dr. Gladys West’s contributions to GPS technology, Black women have shaped every aspect of modern life. Their legacy serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of representation, not only in history but in the future of STEM.
By honoring the contributions of Black women in STEM, we not only celebrate their achievements but also open doors for future generations to continue the work of these trailblazing pioneers.
References
- “Katherine Johnson Biography,” National Air and Space Museum. https://airandspace.si.edu/
- “Mae Jemison,” Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/
- “Alice Ball,” NIH. https://www.nih.gov/
- “Marian Croak’s Revolutionary Contributions to Telecom,” TechCrunch. https://techcrunch.com/
- “Dr. Gladys West: The Mathematician Who Helped Create GPS,” The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/
